Kazi Nazrul’s 45th death anniversary today

The 45th death anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam is being observed today (Friday). To mark the day different socio-cultural organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes.

Kazi Nazrul Islam, popularly known as the Rebel Poet, was born in Churulia village of West Bengal, India, on May 24 in 1899, corresponding to Jaishtha 11 in 1306, of the Bengali calendar.

The poet breathed his last in Dhaka on 12th Bhadra of Bangla calendar in 1383 at the age of 77. He was buried with full state honours beside the Dhaka University Central Mosque.

While working for the troupe, he was introduced to Bangla and Sanskrit literature. A year later, he resumed education and got enrolled at Matharun English School but again dropped out at Class VI for poverty. Afterwards, he worked with ‘kabi gaan’ troupe and also took up a job at a bakery.

Police officer Kazi Rafizullah gave him shelter at his house at Trishal in Mymensingh in 1914 and got him enrolled in Class VII at Darirampur School.

Nazrul joined the British Army in 1917 as a soldier. He was introduced to Persian literature and learnt to play different instruments and music following notations during his job in the army for two and a half years.

He dedicated himself to writing revolutionary poems and essays after the abolition of the 49 Bengal Regiment by the British Army in 1920. He started a fortnightly magazine named Dhumketu in August 1922.

Nazrul was sentenced to jail for one year because of his political poem Anandamoyeer Agomone. While in prison, the poet wrote his masterpieces Aj Srishti Sukher Ullashe, Obhishap, Jater Namey Bajjati, Bhangar Gaan and Shikal Para Chhal.

Nazrul was a poet, writer, musician, and revolutionary. He is the National Poet of Bangladesh. Widely known as Nazrul, his poetry and music espoused Indo-Islamic renaissance and intense spiritual rebellion against fascism and oppression.

Nazrul wrote and composed music for his nearly 4,000 songs (including gramophone records), collectively known as Nazrul geeti (Songs of Nazrul), which are widely popular today.

In 1942 at the age of 43 he began suffering from an unknown disease, losing his voice and memory.

He was brought to the newborn independent country, Bangladesh, from India on May 24, 1972.

To recognise his contribution to Bangla literature and culture, Dhaka University awarded the poet the honorary D.Lit degree at a special convocation on December 9, 1974.

Nazrul was given the citizenship by the then government in January 1976. He was awarded the prestigious Ekushey Padak the same year.